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As a writer, one of the most challenging tasks I face is writing a compelling book blurb. You’d think that after writing an entire manuscript, summarizing it into a few enticing paragraphs would be a breeze, but for me, it’s anything but. Crafting a blurb that brings intrigue, captures the essence of the story, and includes the necessary keywords to attract readers feels like an art form I’m still trying to master.

Take my work on Under the Flamboyant Tree, for example. I’ve rewritten that blurb at least five times, and I’ve updated it on my website three times. Each time, I believe I’ve nailed it—only to come back weeks later and feel like something is missing. It’s as if the perfect blurb is just out of reach, teasing me with the promise of getting it right the next time.

And all I want to say is that Isabella immigrated to the United States to escape her demons. She even changed her name, the last nail in the coffin, to her old self. But when her daughter dies, it causes her to go back to the place and demons she ran away from. Now back at home, she wonders if facing her trauma is worth it or if she would be better off pretending to be perfect Isabella instead of the hurt and damaged Bianca of the past. But she can’t depend on her new American life anymore. So it’s either confronting her demons or going back to her American husband to pretend he’s not the kind of devil she ran away from.

How do you put that in a blurb? LOL

But I know that writing a blurb is more than just summarizing the plot. One has to create a hook that will grab readers’ attention while weaving in keywords that make it pop and doing it all while keeping it concise and impactful. This is easier said than done, and it’s a process that often leaves me feeling frustrated and uncertain. I keep finding myself revisiting the blurb even as I’m finishing the manuscript, and as in Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring, I will work on it long after hitting published on the book.

The endless revisions make me question whether I’ll ever get it right. I’ve tried taking breaks—weeks at a time—hoping that a fresh perspective will help me see what’s missing. But even after giving it time, I come back to it only to realize that it’s still not quite there. There’s this elusive element, a spark that I can’t seem to capture, and it’s maddening.

In a moment of desperation, I turned to Reddit’s self-publishing community. I wrote a post in the self-publishing group, seeking feedback and hoping that someone could offer insight into what I was missing. Fortunately, someone did. A kind soul took the time to read my blurb and provide constructive feedback. The critique pointed out areas where the blurb felt clunky, where it lacked focus on the protagonist, and where certain details seemed irrelevant or confusing.

For instance, they suggested that instead of mentioning secondary characters or less important plot points, I should keep the focus on Isabella, the protagonist. They highlighted how the blurb could be more intimate by sticking to her perspective and avoiding unnecessary details that distract from the core of the story. It was a revelation, and yet, even with this helpful advice, the process of rewriting the blurb is still challenging.

I’m grateful for the feedback, and it’s encouraging to know that other writers struggle with this as well. Blurbs are tricky, and it’s hard to find that perfect balance. But what I’ve learned is that it’s okay to ask for help, to take breaks, and to keep refining until it feels right. Writing is a process, and so is writing a blurb. It’s not about getting it perfect on the first try—it’s about persistence and being open to feedback.

In the end, the blurb is often the first impression readers get of your book, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. But it’s also important to be kind to yourself in the process. The journey to a great blurb might be long and filled with revisions, but with patience and persistence, it’s one that can be conquered. I will definitely be outsourcing this one, but since I am a DIYer (I mean, I’m an indie author), I want to continue to give this a crack until I can’t anymore. I went googling and found something from a book I have: DIY MFA

While you are here, let me know what you think of Under The Flamboyant Tree’s blurb. If you read contemporary women’s fiction, would it catch your attention?

Isabella Prescott thought she had escaped the horrors of her past when she fled the Dominican Republic for a life of luxury in Massachusetts. But after her daughter’s tragic death, Isabella returns to her childhood home in San Francisco de Macorís, where the ghosts of her past refuse to stay buried.

Isabella’s father was a monster, and she left everything behind to avoid becoming like her mother—complicit in the silence that allowed evil to thrive. Now, faced with the horrifying truth that her American husband is cut from the same cloth, Isabella is forced to confront the choices she’s made.

Should she return to Massachusetts, where luxury and pretense await but at the cost of her humanity? Or should she stay and finally confront the pain that has haunted the Ramirez women for generations?

Under the shade of the flamboyant tree—a silent witness to the tears and secrets of the Ramirez women—Isabella must decide if she can break free from the cycle of suffering or if she will be consumed by it.

Can Isabella reclaim her true self, or will she succumb to the seductive comfort of a life built on lies and pain?